Blackberry, Iphone, Ipad, Computer, cellphone, smart phone, text, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Youtube, SMS, social media. Is there any point in your day when you are not connected? We have been spending the last few years learning how to connect through our tech gadgets and social media.

Now we have to teach ourselves to disconnect!

Our need to connect has made us more disconnected

I was walking down the street the other day, and was passed by, oh , I don’t know , 50 people, 70 people. 80% of those people had their heads down and were looking at their smart phones. ! 10% were wearing earbuds for music, and only 10% were walking with someone and talking. What happened. Our desire to connect through social media has actually resulted in a disconnect.

Smart phones are not really that smart

Smart phones, phones that do everything for you, are taking us from the physical world and putting us into another world. This is not really that bad, as connection with people who are not with us is important. But smart phones are making a lot of us unsmart. We are spending too much time on our super duper smart phones and not enough time in our surroundings. This is going so far that some people are tripping, crashing and bumping into other people and things while we text, post and watch our oh so smart phones.

Smart phones are only as smart as the user, and texting while walking, or posting while sitting on the beach, is not so smart.

March is disconnect month so that we can re-connect

The official day for disconnecting or unplugging is March 23rd, the 3rd National celebration for disconnecting so we can re-connect.

By disconnecting you will do the following:

1. Save electricity

2. Do new activities

3. Take a look around, as you can not look at a screen

4. Do all those things that you thought you did not have time for

5. Breathe and notice your breathe, a great way to reconnect

Make a plan for Disconnect Day March 24, 2012

Let people know that you are going to disconnect. Turn off your devices and put a message explaining what you are doing. Your message could inspire many and get them thinking. Plan what you want to do for the day, spend the day at home, take a walk, take a vacation, go for lunch, try something new.

Hours are spent on our super duper smart phones, more hours than I think we realize. It is ironic considering the whole idea behind a super smart phone was to save time, not take away time…hmmmm

Tulum is the city of disconnect to get that reconnect effect #unplug

If you need wifi, internet, electrical and devices, you can have this while in Tulum. But lets share a customer comment that was shared a few weeks ago. His backpack ended up in our guest storage unit for the night. Long story short, he did not have his smart phone for 12 hours. When he came back to retrieve it, he commented that this was the first morning he was not woken up by his smart phone, and did not reach for his smart phone first thing in the morning. He woke up naturally, had breakfast, went for a swim and then came looking for his smart phone. ‘Nough said, his smile said it all. And the smart phone was looked at once a day after that while he was in Tulum. He reconnected with his kids and had a true vacation.

Digital vacation is the best vacation #unplug

On March 23, 2012, have a digital vacation. No matter where you are, what you do, disconnect. We are disconnecting on March 23 and will send you the photos to prove it. What do you plan to do for your disconnect day March 23! remember to let your twitter followers know you are unplugging using the hashtag #unplug!

If you can not participate on March 23, 2012, pick your #unplug day and disconnect to reconnect!

Sustainable development is our responsibility at Casa de las Olas through our building practices, tour recommendations and daily decisions. Sustainable Tourism and eco-vacations is a partnership between us and our guests. We do our very best to make use of the resources we have on our property and encourage our guests to prepare in partnership with us, a sustainable vacation that protects the environment on our property, in the ocean and in the Riviera Maya.

Help us to continue our commitment to sustainable tourism

Before you arrive, think about bringing the following items with you so that you can help us maintain the paradise we live in. These items are not required, they are appreciated. When you go out to do your vacation shopping and prepare for your trip to Tulum and your stay at Casa de las Olas, think about these options that will decrease your carbon footprint and impact on the environment.

1. Eco Suntan lotion. This is not only good for the environment but better for your skin.

2. Eco Mosquito spray. Smells great, easy to find, and is a mixture of essential oils. Citronella is only one of the ingredients and most eco mosquito sprays smell better than any perfume you can find.

3. Eco laundry soap. Our suppliers use eco laundry soap, but if you like to wash out your bathing suit, or shirts while on vacation, bring a eco laundry soap with you. If you forget to bring it, Chedraui, our large grocery store has one eco laundry soap (but no guarantee it is in stock)

4. Bring only the essential electronic equipment. Imagine a vacation with a computer, smartphone or ipad…what a dream. Can you do it? Test yourself. We have solar electricity for all computers, smartphones and tablets but what if you did not bring one, or turned them all off when you arrived? Consider having an unplugged vacation….really.

5. Steel water container. When you are in the hot sun all day long, water is your best friend. Instead of buying a whole bunch of plastic bottles, consider buying a steel water container and just keep filling it up. we supply the water and encourage our guests to bring non plastic containers.

When you prepare in advance and source out these sustainable products in advance, your vacation seems to get a bit better, and know that you are in partnership with Casa de las Olas when living a life that understands and integrates sustainable living practices. None of us are perfect, but every little bit counts. This could be your little bit while you are on vacation.

To the south of Casa de Las Olas, is one of the larger biospheres in the world. Sian Ka’an biosphere is just to the south of our beach villa and has become a favorite activity site for many of our guests and for us! You can feel like the only person on the planet when you enter the 1.3 million acre biosphere but thanks to Cameron Boyd and the employees of Cesiak, you are not alone. Cesiak is an educational center located just 11 kms into the Sian Ka’an biosphere and has one of the best views of the area. Built over 7 years ago, Cameron’s idea to build a sustainable center in the Sian Ka’an that employs the 4 pillars of sustainability is a great success and interesting visit.

Facts about the Sian Ka’an biosphere in Tulum

The Biosphere Reserve covers 652,000 hectares – or 1.3 million acres – making it the largest protected area in the Mexican Caribbean and the largest coastal protected area in Mexico. It is the third largest protected area in Mexico.

By 1995, 350 species of bird had been identified in the Reserve

The area has 103 species of mammals, 90 species of native bees, 47 species of dragonflies, 74 species of beetles, 276 species of crustaceans, 310 species of mosquitoes and 318 species of butterflies

The barrier reef is made up of more than 84 species of coral, including “brain coral” that has been seen as large as seven meters in diameter

It is visited by hundreds of species of fish, including macabí, sharks, shad, bass, and palometa. the biosphere has both fresh water fish and salt water fish due to its natural state of fresh water cenotes and salt water oceans

There 1048 species of flora, including the chit palm, kuka, despeinada, siricote de playa, uva de mar, chacá or palo mulato, riñonina and water lily, as well as mahogany, cedar, rosewood, jícaro and pucté

Visitors can expect to see manatees, four species of marine turtle, howler and spider monkeys, crocodiles, the rare Jabiru stork, jaguars, pumas, ocelots, pink flamingos, toucans and tapirs. Don’t worry they are more scared of you than you are of them

There is over 150,000 hectares of deciduous and semi-evergreen forest

There are 23 Mayan sites in the reserve, while the Chunyaxché ruins, Vigia Del Lago and Xamach, are just to the north. Recently, a 24 km Mayan artificial canal was discovered.

Casa de las Olas is committed to sustainable tourism

Now you can see why we are so committed to sustainable tourism on our little piece of paradise. Our beach villa is neighbouring one of the most delicate ecosystems in Mexico. Every move we make, we are effecting the list of species, flowers, coral, flowers and animals that live in the Sian Kaan.

The video below is a quick look at the area close to the Cesiak educational facility. Special, yes. Delicate yes. Are we feeling lucky. You betcha!